Aerospace deals worth $15 billion announced at BIAS over eight years
A TOTAL of $15 billion in aerospace orders and commitments have been made at the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) during the first five editions, Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Mohammed Al Kaabi has revealed.
Talking exclusively to the GDN in the run-up to BIAS 2022, the minister said the show has grown nine-fold in terms of the value of deals announced at the show from 2010-2018.
Being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, and under the supervision of the King’s personal representative and BIAS’ Supreme Organising Committee chairman Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the sixth edition of the three-day show opens on Wednesday at Sakhir Airbase.
According to Mr Al Kaabi, more than 180 participating companies and 160 military and civil delegations attending BIAS 2022 are a ringing endorsement of the show becoming a leading B2B networking platform connecting businesses with decision-makers.
“As we celebrate the resumption of in-person interaction following a two-year hiatus, our support team on the ground is dedicated to facilitating top-level meetings to enable business connections,” said Mr Al Kaabi.
“Moreover, Bahrain’s steadfast commitment to putting business first, along with its drive to facilitate commercial procedures to increase their effectiveness and enhance the overall business-friendly environment to attract foreign direct investments worth more than $2.5 billion by 2023, positions the country as an ideal location for companies looking to set up or expand their operations in the region.”
Organised by the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry and the Royal Bahraini Airforce in association with Farnborough International, this year’s edition celebrates BIAS’ decade of distinction.
It also marks the completion of a major investment programme in which 40 corporate chalets have been fully refurbished in line with Bahrain’s five-star offering, to enhance the show’s value proposition to key clients.
“Participants can position their aircraft right at their doorstep to allow product demonstrations both on the ground and in the air,” the minister explained.
A key feature of BIAS 2022 is the 14,000sqm Exhibition Hall which transforms the Sakhir Air Base hangar into a showcase for the latest products and technologies in the aviation industry, serving as a marketplace where buyers and sellers can come together, and will also house seven country pavilions.
Mr Al Kaabi
Mr Al Kaabi said country pavilions offer visitors the opportunity to see developments in these countries from a holistic point of view as the country’s key aviation industry players showcase their products.
Marking the ongoing upturn of the industry, BIAS 2022 has undergone design enhancement in terms of both facilities and programmes, enabling a more people-centric experience.
“In addition to the chalets’ refurbishment, we have reconfigured the show entrance in a way that all visitors entering the show will walk through the Exhibition Hall first, thereby enhancing the experience for our clients,” said Mr Al Kaabi.
One of the show’s biggest attractions, a major element of BIAS, is the flying and static aircraft display, which is set to have a total of 100 different types of aircraft displayed on the runway at the airbase and in the air.
“Flying displays of some of the aircraft as well as aerobatic teams will demonstrate the latest innovations and technologies being introduced into the industry,” the minister added.
BIAS 2022 also features forums running concurrently on days two and three of the event in dedicated theatres in the exhibition hall, with thought-leaders discussing airports and aviation; women in aviation; cargo and logistics; and space.
The minister said the aim is to provide future-focused content and facilitate the exchange of insights and knowledge on the latest trends shaping global aerospace and aviation today.
In addition, the 4th biennial Manama Air Power Symposium, organised by the Royal Bahraini Airforce, for the world’s top air force chiefs and leading experts will be held the day before the show at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa resort.
BIAS started as a biennial event in 2010 but the 2020 edition of the aviation and aerospace event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
